Acute Exhaustive Exercise under Normoxic and Normobaric Hypoxic Conditions Differentially Regulates Angiogenic Biomarkers in Humans.

Background and Objectives: Angiogenesis describes the outgrowth of new capillaries from already existing ones. Different biomarkers regulate this process. Physical exercise and hypoxia are key stimuli for the activation of different angiogenic molecules, such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). matrix metalloproteases (MMPs)-2 and -9 or the extracellular matrix cleavage fragment endostatin. The present study aimed to investigate influences of short-term, intensive cycling exercise under both normoxic and normobaric hypoxic conditions on the mentioned parameters. Materials and Methods: Twelve male subjects (age: 23.3 ± 2.0 years) participated in the study. All subjects conducted four intensive cycling tests until individual exhaustion in a randomized order under the following conditions: normoxia, 2000 m, 3000 m and 4000 m above sea level. Blood samples were taken before (pre) and 10 min, 30 min, 60 min and 240 min post exercise and were analyzed by ELISA. Results: VEGF showed a significantly reduced concentration compared to the pre-value solely under 4000 m at 10 min post exercise. MMP-2 showed significantly reduced concentrations at 240 min post exercise under 4000 m. MMP-9 increased at 240 min post exercise under both 2000 m and 4000 m conditions. Endostatin was significantly increased at 10 min post exercise independently of the applied stimulus. Conclusions: The presented data show that intensive short-term exercise bouts facilitate the bioavailability of angiogenic, ECM (extracellular matrix)-related biomarkers. This finding is interesting for both health- and performance-related research as it demonstrates the positive effects of intensive short exercise interventions.

Training Load Measures and Biomarker Responses during a 7-Day Training Camp in Young Cyclists-A Pilot Study.

Background and Objectives: During intense training periods, there is a high need to monitor the external and especially the internal training load in order to fine-tune the training process and to avoid overreaching or overtraining. However, data on stress reactions, especially of biomarkers, to high training loads in children and youth are rare. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the training load of youth athletes during a training camp using a multilevel approach. Materials and Methods: Six trained youth male cyclists performed a 7-day preseason training camp. To investigate the internal training load, every morning, minimally invasive "point-of-care testing" (POCT) devices were used to analyze the following biomarkers: creatine kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (Alb), bilirubin (Bil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein (TP). Additionally, data of training load measures (HR: heart rate, RPE: rating of perceived exertion, sRPE: session-RPE, TRIMP: training impulse, intensity (RPE:HR), and load (sRPE:TRIMP) ratios), self-perception (person's perceived physical state, questionnaires on muscle soreness, and sleep quality), and measures of the autonomic nervous system (resting heart rate, heart rate variability) were collected. Two days before and after the training camp, subjects performed performance tests (Graded Exercise Test, Wingate Anaerobic Test, Counter Movement Jump). Results: Primarily, the biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb, as well as the self-perception showed moderate to large load-dependent reactions during the 7-day training camp. The biomarkers returned to baseline values two days after the last training session. Power output at lactate threshold showed a small increase, and no changes were found for other performance parameters. Conclusions: The study suggests that a multilevel approach is suitable to quantify the internal training load and that different parameters can be used to control the training process. The biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb are suitable for objectively quantifying the internal training load. The self-perception provides additional subjective information about the internal training load.

Locomotion replacement exercise cannot counteract cartilage biomarker response to 5 days of immobilization in healthy adults.

Biomarkers of cartilage metabolism are sensitive to changes in the biological and mechanical environment and can indicate early changes in cartilage homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine if a daily locomotion replacement program can serve as a countermeasure for changes in cartilage biomarker serum concentration caused by immobilization. Ten healthy male subjects (mean ± 1 standard deviation; age: 29.4 ± 5.9 years; body mass: 77.7 ± 4.1 kg) participated in the crossover 5-day bed rest study with three interventions: control (CON), standing (STA), and locomotion replacement training (LRT). Serum samples were taken before, during, and after bed rest. Biomarker concentrations were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels after 24 hours of bed rest decreased independently of the intervention (-16.8% to -9.8%) and continued to decrease until 72 hours of bed rest (minimum, -23.2% to -20.6%). LRT and STA did not affect COMP during bed rests (P = .056) but there was a strong tendency for a slower decrease with LRT (-9.4%) and STA (-11.7%) compared with CON (-16.8%). MMP-3 levels decreased within the first 24 hours of bed rest (CON: -22.3%; STA: -14.7%; LRT: -17%) without intervention effect. Both COMP and MMP-3 levels recovered to baseline levels during the 6-day recovery period. MMP-1, MMP-9, and TNF-α levels were not affected by immobilization or intervention. COMP and MMP-3 are mechano-sensitive cartilage biomarkers affected by immobilization, and simple interventions such as standing upright or LRT during bed rest cannot prevent these changes. Clinical significance: simple locomotion interventions cannot prevent cartilage biomarker change during bed rest.

The physiological effects of daily cold-water immersion on 5-day tournament performance in international standard youth field-hockey players.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of daily post-exercise cold-water immersion (CWI) on match performance, perceptual recovery, and biomarkers of muscle damage and metabolic load during a 5-day international tournament of elite youth field-hockey players. METHODS: The entire German under-18 national squad (n = 18) was randomly assigned to a daily CWI- (5-min at ~ 6 °C; excluding the head; n = 9) or passive recovery (CON; n = 9) intervention. Training and match performance were assessed using a GPS-tracking system and perceived exertion (RPE). Daily ratings of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), perceived stress and recovery, quality of sleep, heart-rate recovery and serum creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase, and urea nitrogen were also recorded. Repeated-sprint ability (RSA) and counter-movement jump (CMJ) were carried out on days 1 and 5. RESULTS: There was no significance between intervention differences in time-on pitch, total distance, velocity zones, and accelerometer-base parameters during match performance (all p > 0.05). DOMS (p < 0.01), RPE (p < 0.01), and CK (p < 0.01) were significantly elevated over the course of the tournament; however, no between-intervention effects were observed (all p > 0.05). Both groups were able to maintain RSA and CMJ (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, daily post-exercise CWI did not improve match performance, perceptual recovery, or biomarkers of muscle damage and metabolic load in elite youth field-hockey players.

Changes in motor unit activity and respiratory oxygen uptake during 6 weeks of progressive whole-body vibration combined with progressive, high intensity resistance training.

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that the additional activation of motor units (MU) and the elevation of metabolic energy turnover resulting from whole-body vibration (WBV) superimposed to high intensity resistance training on a smith machine persist after 6 weeks of training with progressively increasing loads and vibration frequencies. METHODS: Two groups of healthy male subjects performed either 6 weeks of Resistive Vibration Exercise (RVE, squats and heel raises with WBV, n=13) or Resistive Exercise (RE using the same protocol, n=13). During the first (pre) and the last training session (post), we determined the oxygen uptake changes normalized to total training weight (∆V'O2/ttw) and the normalized MU activity from rectus femoris (squats) and gastrocnemius lateralis (heel raise) muscles filtered for vibration frequencies and harmonics (EMG/ttw). RESULTS: At pre measurement, RVE induced higher EMG/ttw (squats) than RE alone (group effect, P=0.006). At post measurement, EMG/ttw was reduced (time effects between P=0.087 and P<0.001 for both groups and exercises). At pre and post measurement, ∆V'O2/ttw was higher during RVE than during RE (group effects between P=0.005 and P=0.099 for both exercises). CONCLUSIONS: RVE permanently elevated metabolic energy turnover, although the initially observed additional MU activity by RVE could not be preserved in the working musculature.

Whole-body cryotherapy (-110 °C) following high-intensity intermittent exercise does not alter hormonal, inflammatory or muscle damage biomarkers in trained males.

PURPOSE: This study examined the acute effects of a single session of Whole-body Cryotherapy (WBC) following severe intermittent running exercise on biomarkers of inflammation, muscle damage and stress. METHODS: Endurance-trained males (n = 11) were tested twice using a within-participant, balanced cross-over design that consisted of 5 × 5 min of high-intensity running (HIR) followed by either 3 min of WBC at -110 °C or a passive control condition (CON). Before the HIR and after 60 min of recovery a ramp-test was completed. At seven time points up to 24 hrs post exercise venous blood samples were analyzed for serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), c-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), myoglobin, cortisol, and testosterone. RESULTS: HIR induced significant increases in all biomarkers except sICAM-1 in both recovery conditions, respectively. Compared to the CON condition WBC did not attenuate exercise- induced changes in IL-6, IL-10, sICAM-1, myoglobin, cortisol, testosterone or their ratio. Increased levels of cortisol following exercise were negatively correlated with subsequent running performance in both conditions (WBC: r = -0.61, p = 0.04; CON: r = -0.64, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the postulated physiological mechanisms by which WBC is proposed to improve recovery, i.e. reductions in inflammation and muscle damage, may not be accurate.

Effects of basketball-specific high-intensity interval training on aerobic performance and physical capacities in youth female basketball players.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of a 5-week, basketball-specific high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on aerobic performance in youth female basketball players. METHODS: Twenty-four athletes (age 15.1 ± 1.1 years; height: 170 ± 5.2 cm; body mass: 60.9 ± 6.0 kg) took part in the investigation. The training group (TG, n = 11) integrated 10 basketball-specific HIIT sessions in their normal team training, the other group (n = 13) continued their team training routine and served as controls (CG). All HIIT sessions contained different basketball-specific drills. Before (pre-) and after the training period (post-) physical fitness was tested. RESULTS: The Yo-yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-yo IR) performance was very likely increased in the TG (26,5 %). No improvements in the Yo-Yo IR performance were found in the CG (-6,8%). Likely positive effects in the TG were evident for the sprint and agility tests with (1.2 ± 2.4%, ES: 0.25, p = 0.29) and without ball (1.5 ± 4.6%, ES: 0.34, p = 0.20). The sprint and agility performance with ball significantly decreased in the CG by -2.8 ± 4.7% (ES: 0.49, p < 0.01). No differences between the groups were found for counter movement jump with arm swing (TG: ES = 0.14, p = 0.45, CG: ES = 0.20 p = 0.18), counter movement jump (TG: ES = 0.05, p = 0.70, CG: ES = 0.19, p = 0.10), squat jump (TG: ES = 0.06, p = 0.72, CG: ES = 0.10, p = 0.54) and long jump (TG: ES = 0.00, p = 0.82, CG: ES = 0.00, p = 0.81). CONCLUSION: A 5-week, basketball-specific HIIT improves the aerobic performance in young female basketball athletes.

Impaired sports performance of athletes suffering from pollen-induced allergic rhinitis: a cross-sectional, observational survey in German athletes.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis has major impacts on sports performance of athletes. The present study aimed at determining the frequency of seasonal pollen allergy and analyzing the impacts of pollen allergy, the choice of allergy treatments and their benefits for sports performance in a group of professional and recreational athletes. METHODS: The study was conducted as a self-reported questionnaire survey. Subjects were recruited from the German Sport University and the Cologne Marathon 2014 during the peak pollen season of 2014. RESULTS: Athletes returned 636 completed questionnaires, 42.6% of participants reported suffering from a pollen allergy and 30.2% also suffered from asthma. Performance impairments were reported in more than 80% of allergic subjects. In all, 82.2% of subjects used symptomatic medications, 32.3% alternative therapies, and 47.6% allergen immunotherapy. Subjects who used immunotherapy had fewer impaired training bouts than those who used symptomatic and alternative therapies. The majority of subjects had concerns about allergy treatment such as side effects, negative impacts on sports performance and lack of long-term effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed a high prevalence of pollen allergy among German athletes. The majority of allergic rhinitis athletes were undertreated, and the reason could be their reservations about allergy treatments. Pollen allergy tremendously reduced sports performance of athletes during the pollen season. This impact can be lessened with proper treatment such as immunotherapy. Better understanding of available treatment modalities should be provided to patients and physicians to improve sports performance of athletes suffering from pollen allergy.

Effects of lymphatic drainage and cryotherapy on indirect markers of muscle damage.

BACKGROUND: Muscle enzymes are cleared from the extracellular space by the lymphatic system, while smaller proteins enter the bloodstream directly. We investigated if manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), local cryotherapy (CRY), and rest (RST) differently affect the time course of creatine kinase (CK, 84 kDa) and heart-type fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP, 15 kDa) in the blood. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial. After 4x20 unilateral, eccentric accentuated knee extensions (with one-third of the maximal isometric force) 30 sports students randomly received either a 30 min MLD, CRY or they rested (RST) for the same amount of time. CK, h-FABP, neutrophil granulocytes, and the perceived muscle soreness were assessed before, immediately after, and 1 hour, 4 hours, and 24 hours after the exercise. RESULTS: All measures increased significantly (P<0.001) after the protocol indicating that muscle damage was induced. However, the responses did not differ between the treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Large and small damage markers were not affected differently by MLD, CRY, or RST, when applied for 30 min and no beneficial effects on inflammation or muscle soreness could be found for MLD and CRY when compared to RST. This information is particularly important for those sports physicians and conditioning specialists who use biochemical muscle damage markers to adjust the training load and volume of athletes.

Sensitivity of serum concentration of cartilage biomarkers to 21-days of bed rest.

The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) would decrease and serum levels of tumor-necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) would increase in response to bed rest (BR) and that these changes are unaffected by the intake of potassium bicarbonate or whey protein. Seven and nine healthy male subjects participated in two 21-day 6° head down tilt crossover BR-studies with nutrition interventions. Serum samples were taken before, during, and after BR and biomarker concentrations were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. MMP-3 during BR was significantly lower than at baseline (reduction greater 20%; p < 0.001). MMP-3 increased significantly from 14 to 21 days of BR (+7%; p = 0.049). COMP during BR was significantly lower than at baseline (reduction greater 20%; p < 0.001). MMP-3 and COMP returned to baseline within 1 day after BR. MMP-9 on day 3 of BR was significantly lower than at baseline (-31%; p < 0.033) and on days 3, 5, and 14 of BR significantly lower than at the end of and after BR (reduction greater 35%; p < 0.030). The nutritional countermeasures did not affect these results. The observed changes in cartilage biomarkers may be caused by altered cartilage metabolism in response to the lack of mechanical stimulus during BR and inflammatory biomarkers may play a role in changes in biomarker levels. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Immobilization independently from injury can cause altered cartilage biomarker concentration. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1465-1471, 2018.

Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on the Frequency of Skeletal Muscle Cramps: A Prospective Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated if neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of calf muscles prevents spontaneous calf cramps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 19 individuals affected by more than or equal to one calf cramp per week the gastrocnemius of the predominantly affected leg was stimulated twice a week (intervention leg, IL) over six weeks (3 × 6 stimulation trains at 30 Hz above the individual cramp threshold frequency). The other leg served as control (CL). The participants were advised to record all spontaneous muscle cramps from two weeks before the intervention until two weeks after the last NMES session. RESULTS: The number of spontaneous calf cramps in the two weeks after the intervention was 78% lower (2.1 ± 6.8 cramps) in the stimulated (p < 0.001) and 63% lower (2.0 ± 6.9 cramps) in the unstimulated calves (p < 0.001), when compared to the two weeks prior to the intervention (IL: 9.6 ± 12.4 cramps; CL: 5.5 ± 12.7 cramps). Only in the IL, this improvement was accompanied by an increase in the cramp threshold frequency from 15.5 ± 8.5 Hz before the NMES intervention to 21.7 ± 12.4 Hz after the intervention. The severity of the remaining calf cramps tended to be lower in both legs after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The applied stimulation protocol seems to provide an effective prevention strategy in individuals affected by regular calf cramps.

Cramp Training Induces a Long-Lasting Increase of the Cramp Threshold Frequency in Healthy Subjects.

OBJECTIVE: A low cramp threshold frequency (CTF) is associated with an increased cramp susceptibility. Recent data indicate that the CTF can be substantially increased by a cramp training consisting of electrically induced muscle cramps (EIMCs). This study investigated if four cramp training sessions induce sustained effects on the CTF. METHODS: In ten healthy male subjects, EIMCs were induced in the gastrocnemius medialis of one leg (intervention leg, IL) twice a week, while the opposite leg served as control leg (CL). The stimulation protocol consisted of three sets of six bipolar rectangular wave pulsed currents (5 sec on, 10 sec off) at 30 Hz above the individual CTF. RESULTS: After four cramp training sessions (2 weeks) the CTF differed (p < 0.001) from pre-values in the IL (pre: 19.2 ± 1.4 Hz post 29.8 ± 8.0 Hz) but not in the CL (pre: 18.2 ± 1.5 Hz post 19.6 ± 2.8 Hz; p > 0.05). Thereafter, the CTF remained elevated in the IL for 22 days (22 days post: 22.2 ± 3.2 Hz; p < 0.05) when compared to pre and was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of the CL 5, 10, and 14 days after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The applied cramp training induced a long-term CTF increase of 14 days.

Effects of blood flow restriction during moderate-intensity eccentric knee extensions.

We investigated if blood flow restriction (BFR, cuff pressure 20 mmHG below individual occlusion pressure) increases metabolic stress, hormonal response, release of muscle damage markers, and muscle swelling induced by moderate-intensity eccentric contractions. In a randomized, matched-pair design, 20 male subjects (25.3 ± 3.3 years) performed four sets of unilateral eccentric knee extensions (75% 1RM) to volitional failure with (IG) or without (CG) femoral BFR. Despite significant differences of performed repetitions between IG (85.6 ± 15.4 repetitions) and CG (142.3 ± 44.1 repetitions), peak values of lactate (IG 7.0 ± 1.4 mmol l-1, CG 6.9 ± 2.7 mmol l-1), growth-hormone (IG 4.9 ± 4.8 ng ml-1, CG 5.2 ± 3.5 ng ml-1), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IG 172.1 ± 41.9 ng ml-1, CG 178.7 ± 82.1 ng ml-1), creatine-kinase (IG 625.5 ± 464.8 U l-1, CG 510.7 ± 443.5 U l-1), the absolute neutrophil count (IG 7.9 ± 1.3 103 µl-1, CG 8.7 ± 2.0 103 µl-1), induced muscle swelling of rectus femoris and vastus lateralis and perceived pain did not differ. The present data indicate that BFR is suitable to intensify eccentric exercises.

Criterion-Validity of Commercially Available Physical Activity Tracker to Estimate Step Count, Covered Distance and Energy Expenditure during Sports Conditions.

Background: In the past years, there was an increasing development of physical activity tracker (Wearables). For recreational people, testing of these devices under walking or light jogging conditions might be sufficient. For (elite) athletes, however, scientific trustworthiness needs to be given for a broad spectrum of velocities or even fast changes in velocities reflecting the demands of the sport. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the validity of eleven Wearables for monitoring step count, covered distance and energy expenditure (EE) under laboratory conditions with different constant and varying velocities. Methods: Twenty healthy sport students (10 men, 10 women) performed a running protocol consisting of four 5 min stages of different constant velocities (4.3; 7.2; 10.1; 13.0 km·h-1), a 5 min period of intermittent velocity, and a 2.4 km outdoor run (10.1 km·h-1) while wearing eleven different Wearables (Bodymedia Sensewear, Beurer AS 80, Polar Loop, Garmin Vivofit, Garmin Vivosmart, Garmin Vivoactive, Garmin Forerunner 920XT, Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR, Xaomi MiBand, Withings Pulse Ox). Step count, covered distance, and EE were evaluated by comparing each Wearable with a criterion method (Optogait system and manual counting for step count, treadmill for covered distance and indirect calorimetry for EE). Results: All Wearables, except Bodymedia Sensewear, Polar Loop, and Beurer AS80, revealed good validity (small MAPE, good ICC) for all constant and varying velocities for monitoring step count. For covered distance, all Wearables showed a very low ICC (<0.1) and high MAPE (up to 50%), revealing no good validity. The measurement of EE was acceptable for the Garmin, Fitbit and Withings Wearables (small to moderate MAPE), while Bodymedia Sensewear, Polar Loop, and Beurer AS80 showed a high MAPE up to 56% for all test conditions. Conclusion: In our study, most Wearables provide an acceptable level of validity for step counts at different constant and intermittent running velocities reflecting sports conditions. However, the covered distance, as well as the EE could not be assessed validly with the investigated Wearables. Consequently, covered distance and EE should not be monitored with the presented Wearables, in sport specific conditions.

Salivary Markers for Quantitative Dehydration Estimation During Physical Exercise.

Salivary markers have been proposed as noninvasive and easy-to-collect indicators of dehydrations during physical exercise. It has been demonstrated that threshold-based classifications can distinguish dehydrated from euhydrated subjects. However, considerable challenges were reported simultaneously, for example, high intersubject variabilities in these markers. Therefore, we propose a machine-learning approach to handle the intersubject variabilities and to advance from binary classifications to quantitative estimations of total body water (TBW) loss. For this purpose, salivary samples and reference values of TBW loss were collected from ten subjects during a 2-h running workout without fluid intake. The salivary samples were analyzed for previously investigated markers (osmolality, proteins) as well as additional unexplored markers (amylase, chloride, cortisol, cortisone, and potassium). Processing all these markers with a Gaussian process approach showed that quantitative TBW loss estimations are possible within an error of 0.34 l, roughly speaking, a glass of water. Furthermore, a data analysis illustrated that the salivary markers grow nonlinearly during progressive dehydration, which is in contrast to previously reported linear observations. This insight could help to develop more accurate physiological models for salivary markers and TBW loss. Such models, in turn, could facilitate even more precise TBW loss estimations in the future.

Does combined strength training and local vibration improve isometric maximum force? A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine whether a combination of strength training (ST) and local vibration (LV) improved the isometric maximum force of arm flexor muscles. ST was applied to the left arm of the subjects; LV was applied to the right arm of the same subjects. The main aim was to examine the effect of LV during a dumbbell biceps curl (Scott Curl) on isometric maximum force of the opposite muscle among the same subjects. It is hypothesized, that the intervention with LV produces a greater gain in isometric force of the arm flexors than ST. METHODS: Twenty-seven collegiate students participated in the study. The training load was 70% of the individual 1 RM. Four sets with 12 repetitions were performed three times per week during four weeks. The right arm of all subjects represented the vibration trained body side (VS) and the left arm served as the traditional trained body side (TTS). RESULTS: A significant increase of isometric maximum force in both body sides (Arms) occurred. VS, however, significantly increased isometric maximum force about 43% in contrast to 22% of the TTS. CONCLUSION: The combined intervention of ST and LC improves isometric maximum force of arm flexor muscles. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Effects of TRPV1 and TRPA1 activators on the cramp threshold frequency: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Previous data indicate that a strong sensory input from orally administered TRPV1 and TRPA1 activators alleviates muscle cramps in foot muscles by reducing the α-motor neuron hyperexcitability. We investigated if TRP activators increase the cramp threshold frequency of the medial gastrocnemius. METHODS: We randomly assigned 22 healthy male participants to an intervention (IG) and a control group (CG). While participants of the IG ingested a mixture of TRPV1 and TRPA1 activators, the CG received a placebo. We tested the cramp threshold frequency (CTF), the cramp intensity (EMG activity), and the perceived pain of electrically induced muscle cramps before (pre), and 15 min, 4, 8, and 24 h after either treatment. We further measured the maximal isometric force of knee extensors at pre, 4, and 24 h to assess potential side-effects on the force output. RESULTS: When we included all measurement time points, no group-by-time interaction was observed for the CTF. However, when only pre and 15 min values were incorporated, a significant interaction, with a slightly greater CTF increase in IG (3.1 ± 1.5) compared to the CG (2.0 ± 1.5), was observed. No significant group by time interaction was found for the cramp intensity, the perceived pain, and the maximal isometric force. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that orally administered TRPV1 and TRPA1 activators exert a small short-term effect on the CTF, but not on the other parameters tested. Future studies need to investigate whether such small CTF increments are sufficient to prevent exercise-associated muscle cramps.

Chronic effects of superimposed electromyostimulation during cycling on aerobic and anaerobic capacity.

PURPOSE: To examine if chronic endurance training by means of simultaneously applied, superimposed electromyostimulation (EMS) can be used to improve performance and physiological core parameters compared to the traditional cycling. METHODS: Twenty-one male subjects (VO2peak 55.2 ± 5.1 ml min- 1 kg- 1) were assigned to either a cycling (C) or cycling with superimposed EMS (C + E) group. Before and after the 4-week training period, including 14 sessions of moderate cycling [60 min at 60% peak power output (PPO)], participants performed a 20-min time-trial, a step test to exhaustion, a 30-s isokinetic sprint test, and maximum force- and power-tests. Markers of muscle damage and metabolic condition were assessed during the training period. RESULTS: Step test results revealed increases in PPO, VO2peak, lactate threshold 1, and the anaerobic threshold for both groups (p < 0.05). Mean power output (MPO) obtained from time-trial was improved in C and C + E (p < 0.05). Isokinetic sprint test revealed increased PPO in both groups, whereas MPO was only changed in C (p < 0.05). Strength parameters were unaffected. Although metabolic stimuli and markers of muscle damage were higher in C + E compared to C, improvements of endurance performance and capacity were not significantly different between C and C + E. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a higher metabolic, respiratory, and muscular demand, chronic additional superimposed EMS during cycling does not result in superior improvements in endurance and strength performance compared to the traditional cycling.

Postflight reconditioning for European Astronauts - A case report of recovery after six months in space.

BACKGROUND: Postflight reconditioning of astronauts is understudied. Despite a rigorous, daily inflight exercise countermeasures programme during six months in microgravity (µG) on-board the International Space Station (ISS), physiological impairments occur and postflight reconditioning is still required on return to Earth. Such postflight programmes are implemented by space agency reconditioning specialists. Case Description and Assessments: A 38 year old male European Space Agency (ESA) crewmember's pre- and postflight (at six and 21 days after landing) physical performance from a six-month mission to ISS are described. ASSESSMENTS: muscle strength (squat and bench press 1 Repetition Maximum) and power (vertical jump), core muscle endurance and hip flexibility (Sit and Reach, Thomas Test). INTERVENTIONS: In-flight, the astronaut undertook a rigorous daily (2-h) exercise programme. The 21 day postflight reconditioning exercise concept focused on motor control and functional training, and was delivered in close co-ordination by the ESA physiotherapist and exercise specialist to provide the crewmember with comprehensive reconditioning support. OUTCOMES: Despite an intensive inflight exercise programme for this highly motivated crewmember, postflight performance showed impairments at R+6 for most parameters, all of which recovered by R+21 except muscular power (jump tests). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of intense inflight exercise countermeasures and excellent compliance to postflight reconditioning, postflight performance showed impairments at R+6 for most parameters. Complex powerful performance tasks took longer to return to preflight values. Research is needed to develop optimal inflight and postflight exercise programmes to overcome the negative effects of microgravity and return the astronaut to preflight status as rapidly as possible.

Association Between Energy Balance and Metabolic Hormone Suppression During Ultraendurance Exercise.

Ultraendurance athletes often accumulate an energy deficit when engaging in ultraendurance exercise, and on completion of the exercise, they exhibit endocrine changes that are reminiscent of starvation. However, it remains unclear whether these endocrine changes are a result of the exercise per se or secondary to the energy deficit and, more important, whether these changes can be attenuated by increased dietary intake. The goal of the study was to assess the relationship between changes in key metabolic hormones after ultraendurance exercise and measures of energy balance. Metabolic hormones, as well as energy intake and expenditure, were assessed in 14 well-trained male cyclists who completed a 1230-km ultraendurance cycling event. After completion of the event, serum testosterone (-67% ± 18%), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (-45% ± 8%), and leptin (-79% ± 9%) were significantly suppressed (P < .001) and remained suppressed after a 12-h recovery period (P < .001). Changes in IGF-1 were positively correlated with energy balance over the course of the event (r = .65, P = .037), which ranged from an 11,859-kcal deficit to a 3593-kcal surplus. The marked suppression of testosterone, IGF-1, and leptin after ultraendurance exercise is comparable to changes occurring during acute starvation. The suppression of IGF-1, but not that of other metabolic hormones, was strongly associated with the magnitude of the energy deficit, indicating that athletes who attained a greater energy deficit exhibited a more pronounced drop in IGF-1. Future studies are needed to determine whether increased dietary intake can attenuate the endocrine response to ultraendurance exercise.